Southern California judge who killed his wife sentenced to 35 years to life for murder
September 17, 2025
A Southern California judge convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife after the couple had been arguing was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years to life in prison. Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson faced a maximum potential sentence of 40 years to life in prison. The 74-year-old has been jailed since a jury found him guilty in April. Prosecutors said Ferguson shot his wife in their home in August 2023 after he had been drinking and the couple arguing. Ferguson admitted to shooting his wife but said it was an accident.